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Posted by Dara Greaney on 5/8/2023 toLED Grow Lights
How NASA is Growing Food in Space Using LED Grow Light
How Can You Grow Food In Space
The idea of growing food in space has been a topic of interest for many years. NASA began growing plants in space in the 1980s. At that time they were using it simply as an experimental process. According to an articlefrom NASA that talks about the potential to extend human life beyond Earth, it is vital to understand how we can grow food in space and provide a sustainable food source for future space missions. In May 2014 NASA created a plant growth system that uses LED lights and a nutrient solution to grow edible plants in space. Today, in 2023 that system is continuing to be used and improved. NASA has been and will continue to be at the forefront of space agriculture research, and they have made significant progress in growing food in space using LED grow lights. Let’s dig deeper into how they are using these LED light systems to grow food.
What Is The Vegetable Production System
One of the ways NASA has been growing food in space is by using (Veggie). The Vegetable Production System (Veggie) is a plant growth unit developed to study how plants grow in microgravity conditions. The system uses LED grow lights, which emit a specific spectrum of light that plants need to grow. Veggie is a passive system, meaning it does not use soil; instead, it uses a hydroponic nutrient delivery system. This allows the plants to grow in a clean and controlled environment, making them ideal for growing food in space.
How Do They Use LED Lights?
The Veggie system was developed specifically for growing plants in space. It uses LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lights, along with a special clay and fertilizer. It is the size of a piece of carry-on luggage and can hold up to six plants. Plants in space rely on environmental cues, such as light, to guide their growth as gravity is not present. The Veggie chamber uses a bank of LEDs to provide the plants with a light spectrum that is optimal for their growth. Since plants reflect green light and absorb red and blue wavelengths, the Veggie chamber emits a magenta-pink glow.
The Importance Of LED Grow Lights
LED grow lights are a crucial component of the Veggie system as they provide the plants with the necessary light spectrum for photosynthesis to occur. In space, natural sunlight is not available, making it impossible to grow plants without artificial light. LED grow lights are the preferred choice because they are energy-efficient, emit less heat than other types of grow lights, and provide the specific spectrum of light that plants need to grow.
How Do Grow Lights Work?
Basic Principles of Grow Lights
Grow lights are a type of lamp that provides plants with the light they need to grow indoors. They are used to grow plants year-round and offer a number of advantages over other types of grow lights. They are efficient, long-lasting, and produce little heat. Grow lights are artificial light sources that emit a spectrum of light designed to promote plant growth. There are different types of grow lights, including fluorescent, high-intensity discharge (HID), and LED grow lights. LED grow lights are the most energy-efficient and emit the least amount of heat, making them ideal for growing plants in space.
Light Color of Kelvin For Plants
The color of light that plants need for photosynthesis is primarily in the blue and red spectrum. Blue light helps with vegetative growth, while red light promotes flowering and fruiting. The color temperature of light is measured in Kelvin, and for plants, the ideal temperature is between 5,000 and 6,500 Kelvin.
What is Full Spectrum?
Full-spectrum grow lights emit a spectrum of light that is similar to natural sunlight. This means that they provide a range of colors that plants need to grow, including red, blue, and green light. Full-spectrum grow lights are beneficial for plants as they can promote healthy growth and improve yield.
The Use of Grow Lights on Earth
What Kind Of Plants Can We Grow?
Grow lights are commonly used in indoor farming to grow plants all year round. This technology has revolutionized the agricultural industry, allowing farmers to grow crops in areas with limited natural light or harsh weather conditions. With the use of LED grow lights, farmers can grow a wide range of crops, including leafy greens, herbs, and even cannabis.
The Importance of Grow Lights for Cannabis Plants
Cannabis plants require a specific spectrum of light to grow properly. In the vegetative stage, cannabis plants require more blue light to promote vegetative growth, while in the flowering stage, they require more red light to promote bud growth. LED grow lights are the preferred choice for growing cannabis as they emit the specific spectrum of light that cannabis plants need to grow and produce high-quality buds.
What is PAR?
Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is the spectrum of light that plants use for photosynthesis. PAR is measured in micromoles per square meter per second (µmol/m²/s) and is an important factor to consider when choosing grow lights for plants. LED grow lights are known for their high PAR output, making them ideal for growing plants.
LED Benefits in Grow Lights vs HID
HID grow lights are a common type of grow light used in indoor farming, but they have several disadvantages compared to LED grow lights. HID grow lights consume a lot of energy and emit a lot of heat, which can be problematic in closed environments such as spaceships or indoor farming facilities. LED grow lights, on the other hand, are more energy-efficient and emit less heat, making them more suitable for space agriculture and indoor farming.
The Future of Grow Lights
The use of LED grow lights has revolutionized the way we grow plants, both on Earth and in space. With the increasing demand for sustainable food sources and the need for food production in closed environments, LED grow lights will continue to play a vital role in agriculture.
Low Energy
LED grow lights are highly energy-efficient, making them an ideal choice for indoor farming. Unlike traditional HID lights, LED grow lights consume less energy and emit less heat. This means that they are more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.
Low Heat
LED grow lights emit less heat than traditional grow lights, making them safer to use and less likely to damage plants. This also means that less energy is required to maintain a suitable temperature in indoor farming facilities.
Dimmable Grow Lights
Many LED grow lights are dimmable, meaning that the light output can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of the plants. This allows for greater control over the growing environment, ensuring that the plants receive the right amount of light for optimal growth.
Conclusion
NASA's use of LED grow lights in the Vegetable Production System has shown that it is possible to grow food in space using artificial light. LED grow lights are highly energy-efficient, emit less heat than traditional grow lights, and provide the specific spectrum of light that plants need to grow. The use of LED grow lights has revolutionized the way we grow plants, both on Earth and in space. They offer several benefits over traditional outdoor farming, including year-round production, more precise control over growing conditions, and higher yields. With the increasing demand for sustainable food sources and the need for food production in closed environments, LED grow lights will continue to play a vital role in agriculture.
In summary, the future of agriculture is looking bright with the use of LED grow lights. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more energy-efficient and advanced grow lights being developed, making it easier to grow plants in even the most challenging environments. Whether you're a space scientist looking to grow food in space or a farmer looking to improve crop yields, LED grow lights offer a sustainable and effective solution for growing plants.
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References:
NASA Research Boosts LED Lamps for Home and Garden | NASA https://go.nasa.gov/3OImLbZ https://community.thriveglobal.com/led-grow-lights-the-nasa-s-technology-for-indoor-gardens/
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